US Soccer recently announced some of the results of the 117th Annual General Meeting of the International Football Association Board that took place in Belfast, Northern Ireland on March 15th.  Several topics including Players’ Equipment, the role of the fourth official, penalty kick protocols and the evolution of artificial turf in the modern game were discussed.  Below is a brief overview, for complete details visit ussoccer.org. 

 

Regarding player’ equipment, it was resolved that players must not reveal undershirts which contain slogans or advertising.  A player removing his jersey to reveal slogans or advertising will be sanctioned by the competition organizer.

 

Additionally, it was decided that jerseys must have sleeves and the Board agreed to remove the bullet point which permitted advertising only on players’ sleeves.

 

Additionally, it was determined the fourth official may be appointed under the competition rules and officiates if any of the three match officials is unable to continue. 

 

In the fourth official’s role of assisting the referee at all times, the fourth official must indicate to the referee when the wrong player is cautioned because of mistaken identity or when a player is not sent off having been seen to be given a second caution or when violent conduct occurs out of the view of the referee and assistant referees.  The referee, however, remains the authority to decide on all points connected with play.

 

New text pertaining to the procedures to determine the winner of a match – specifically kicks from the Penalty Mark – states that the referee tosses a coin and the team whose captain wins the toss decides whether to take the first or the second kick.

 

The reasoning behind this practice is to give the team which wins the toss a fair chance and not to insist that they take the first kick, which can be perceived as an advantage to the team which loses the toss.

 

Further new text regarding penalty kicks involves the fact that while it is an infringement to enter the penalty area before the kick has been taken, the goalkeeper also infringes the Laws if he moves from his goal-line before the ball has been kicked.  Referees must ensure that when players infringe this Law appropriate action is taken.

 

While this amendment was originally enacted in 1997, the issue was raised again because nowadays, infringements often occur at a penalty kick, yet the referee seldom takes action.

 

Lastly, the Board recognized the advances in artificial surface technology and the major benefits of using artificial surfaces in areas with climatic problems.  It also recognized that artificial surfaces allowed multiple and extended use of facilities in urban environments.  The Board mandated FIFA to create clear procedures for the use of artificial surfaces, to unify the quality system and apply it worldwide, taking into consideration the best resources and knowledge available.

 

The amendments to the Laws of the Game take effect as of July 1, 2003 and instructions and directives were introduced with immediate effect.